The Aspendos Amphitheater in Antalya is considered one of the most famous and important tourist attractions that managed to increase the tourist movement in the city, as this famous historical monument managed to attract a large number of tourists and art lovers around the world year after year.
Tourists in Antalya can take a closer look at this Aspendos amphitheater to closely revive historical events, creating distinct moments that are difficult to forget for themselves and their families.
It is worth noting that Aspendos was included in the UNESCO World Heritage List in 2015
Aspendos region in Antalya
Aspendos is one of the ancient areas of Antalya, which is a beautiful area famous for its open Amphitheater. Aspendos is located 40 km from the coastal city of Antalya and 8 km from the city of Serik, as historians believe that this region dates back to the year 1000 BC and was built by The Greeks, as well as the famous Aspendos Amphitheater was built 200 years after the birth of the Roman Emperor Marcus Aurelius.
Due to the importance of the amphitheater in different historical periods, this historic monument was not destroyed and remained completely intact, so that today we can see important and famous artistic celebrations such as international opera festivals and ballet dancing in the presence of about 10,000 people.
The Aspendos Amphitheater is considered one of the most open amphitheaters in the world, with a capacity of up to 15,000 to 20,000 people. It is also worth noting that this amphitheater was included in the UNESCO World Heritage List in 2015, and tourists can visit the memorial every day from 8 AM until 7 PM and enjoy its various facilities.
If you are planning travel and tourism in Antalya, we suggest that you visit Aspendos during your trip and enjoy watching its runway.
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History of Aspendos Region, Antalya
The history of Aspendos region is not entirely clear, as some believe that the city was built by the Greeks in the year 1000 BC, while others believe that this beautiful city belongs to the modern period and dates back to 800 BC.
It is clear that Aspendos, according to the available evidence, was one of the first cities that worked with the system of coins, and it goes without saying that the coins that were mined in this city date back to the fourth and fifth centuries BC.
Aspendos flourished in the second and third centuries AD and presented countless artworks. Aspendos in Antalya includes many buildings and architectural masterpieces. Aspendos Amphitheater is considered among the most magnificent and most magnificent buildings in the city.
There is an exciting story behind the construction of this great Aspendos Amphitheater in Antalya. Where a competition was held between people, the prize of which was to marry the daughter of the king. There was intense competition, and at the end two people reached the finals. The one who designed a water system that would carry water a few kilometers away and send it to different parts of the city, and the second was the Aspendos Amphitheater designer.
After completing the construction of the water channel and Aspendos Amphitheater, the king greatly admired the two works, and announced that he would cut his daughter in half! And that he will marry every half to one of the architects. Architects did not accept this suggestion, so the king married his daughter to the one who created the amphitheater and the royal wedding was also included in the amphitheater.
Aspendos Amphitheater in Antalya
As we mentioned, the city of Aspendos was built on the hills, which led to the construction of the Aspendos Amphitheater on the hillside in the old Roman style, this beautiful theater is a semicircle. The large surface of the theater is divided into two parts, and these parts are divided by corridors with stairs.
In addition to the seating chairs, of which the first row is for businessmen and judges. And the second row was for the city’s famous people, the women sat in the high chairs, which are decorated with marble, and the men sat in the lower seats, and the king and the royal family had a special and distinguished place. It is worth noting that these seats are divided into 20 rows to watch wars and conflicts between humans and animals.
The Amphitheater gallery consists of two floors with two narrow and long columns, tourists can see these pairs of columns when entering, and it is also interesting to know that the diameter of Aspendos Amphitheater is 96 meters and 22 meters high. It is made entirely of lime, and tourists can see several rooms on the first floor of the building that were used to prepare gladiators.
How to Go to the Aspendos Amphitheater in Antalya
Tourists in Antalya can use private cars and other public transportation in the city to reach this beautiful historical monument, but the best way to reach this amphitheater is the bus. Use the city’s bus stations and get off at the bus station named Aspendos, which is 550 meters from this famous building.
